The deal expands the network to allow for a broader roll-out of 4G LTE, which gives customers a fast, reliable 4G connection, and spurs competition, T-Mobile said.

Securing AWS spectrum is a rare opportunity that will be put to use by both T-Mobile and MetroPCS users, T-Mobile said. The agreement with U.S. Cellular still has to be approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice, it added.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year, T-Mobile said.

T-Mobile completed the merger with MetroPCS in May and said earlier in June that the migration of MetroPCS customers onto its network for 4G HSPA+ and LTE is ahead of schedule. The migration frees up spectrum for deployment of the new network, which provides faster data speeds for customers with HSPA+ and LTE compatible devices,A T-Mobile said at the time.

Loek is Amsterdam Correspondent and covers online privacy, intellectual property, open-source and online payment issues for the IDG News Service. Follow him on Twitter at @loekessers or email tips and comments to loek_essers@idg.com